Learn how to navigate by the night sky like the man and the girl in The Bear by Andrew Krivak (available at the library) – The Becket Athenaeum Big Read title. Join Destin Heilman of Becket Dark Skies at a local Becket property to view the night sky and to learn how it’s been used for navigation since before the dawn of GPS being at our fingertips.
If you have a telescope, please feel free to bring it!
Cosponsored by Becket Dark Skies.
Destin Heilman is a resident of Southborough MA, and a part-time resident of Becket. By day, Dr. Heilman is a faculty member at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the department of Chemistry and Biochemistry where he teaches and conducts biochemistry research. He has extensive experience in project-based learning and has modernized the way in which chemistry and biochemistry are taught. He holds workshops at conferences and other colleges and universities in innovative design for science education. His disciplinary research focuses on the discovery and characterization of novel virus proteins that have toxicity specifically in cancer cells.
By night, Dr. Heilman turns his attention to the stars. As an amateur astronomer, he has hosted star parties for regional conservation groups and schools, including remote imaging sessions from his custom observatory that he built at his home. As an accomplished astrophotographer, he leverages his images to inspire others to look up, as well as to raise funds for organizations that preserve and cherish the night sky. He has given talks on the harmful affects of high energy blue light from LEDs, advised multiple towns on mitigating light pollution, and written bylaws that help towns to better manage light at night. He is currently working with a group in Becket to craft a bylaw that would protect its treasured dark skies.
Dr. Heilman received his Bachelors degree from Penn State University in Microbiology. He then earned a Doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School specializing in Molecular Medicine. In his time away from work, he also enjoys woodworking and clockmaking, mountain climbing, playing the piano, choral singing, and watching Sci-Fi with his wife and son.
Becket Dark Skies
A passionate group of citizens in Becket has united to protect the night skies, preserve wildlife habitats, and enhance stargazing opportunities. By raising awareness about light pollution and advocating for a local ordinance, we aim to ensure that outdoor lighting is well designed and positioned to safeguard the natural beauty of our dark skies and reap associated benefits.